NEW ORLEANS — For the past 102 years, the iconic Girl Scout Cookie program has developed the next generation of female leaders. On Jan. 11, Girl Scouts from across southeast Louisiana began selling those Girl Scout cookies, while celebrating not only the country’s largest girl-led entrepreneurial program for girls in the world, but also the country’s largest financial investment in girls annually.
“At a time when less than eight cents of every dollar granted by philanthropic foundations fund girl and women programming, each and every Girl Scout Cookie purchase is key to supporting leadership development in girls,” said Rebecca Pennington, chief executive officer, at Girl Scouts Louisiana East.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches Girl Scouts essential skills like goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics. Cookie sales will run through March 10.
The Cookie Program allows Girl Scouts to discover their inner leadership potential and use their earnings to power amazing experiences for themselves and their troops in travel, outdoor adventures, STEM programming and service projects. From building a robot to exploring the outdoors, feeding the homeless or assisting the helpless, Girl Scouts are always doing remarkable things.
“The Girl Scout Leadership Experience does not end when Cookie Season ends and cookie proceeds alone do not fund the Girl Scout Movement in southeast Louisiana,” Pennington said. “Investing in girls is important all year-round.”
The nine varieties being offered include Shortbread, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Girl Scout S’mores, Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Patties, Lemonades, Thanks-A-Lot, and a new gluten-free Caramel Chocolate Chip. Cookies are $4 a package upon delivery, $5 a package for gluten free variety, and are preservative-free, kosher, with zero trans fat per serving. Five varieties are also vegan.
Cookies will be sold at various booth locations throughout the 23 parishes. Customers can find the locations and times of Girl Scout cookie booth sales online at www.girlscoutcookies.org or through the Cookie Finder mobile app beginning in mid-February.
All Cookie program proceeds remain within the council’s jurisdiction, funding troop activities and helping the council maintain properties, train and recruit volunteers, and support council initiatives.
